The true northerner., 1887-12-14

ner, promised its correction: and neither -
citizens nor AZ partisans are our countrymen IN
. mood to condone the deliberate violation OF
our progress toward a wise conclusion will
not be improved by DIV elling upon the theories OF
protection and free trade; This sav3rs TOO niue
confronts us. not a theory. Relief from this con-
diton may involve a slight reduction of the ad-
but the entire withdrawal Of such advantages
should not be contemplated. The question OF
free trade is absolutely Irrelevant; and the
persistent claim made in certain quarters. that
all efforts to relieve the people from unjust and
unnecessary taxation are schemes OF so-called
free-trGders, is mischievous and far removed
from any consideration for the public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe the
people is to reduce taxation to the necessary
expenses Of economical administration OF
the Government and TO restore to the busines .
OF the country the moLey which we hold in the
mental powers These things can and should
be done with safety to all our industries, with
out danger to the opportunity for remunerative
labor which our workmen need and with BEN
eft to them and ull our people, by cheapening
their means of subsistence and increasing the
measure of their comforts.
THE TARIFF WAS ALL-IMPoRTANT.
The Constitution provides that the President
-shnil from time to time give to the Congress
information OF the state Of the Union" 1t has
been the custom of the Executive, in compliance
with this provision TO annually exhibit to the
Congress, at the'opening OF its sessions, the
III,
with some particularly, the operations Of
the different executive departments. IL
would be especially agreeable to follow
this course ut the present time and
to call attention to the valuable accomplish
inents of these departments during the last
hscal year But / am so much impressed with
the paramount Importance of the subject to
which this communication has thus far been
devoted. that shall forego the addition OF any
other topic, ana only urge upon your immed ate
consideration the state of the Union" Is shown
In the present condition of our Treasury and
our general fiscal situation, upon which every
element OF our safety and prosperity depends.
The reports OF the heads of departments
which VIII be submitted, contain full and ex-
plicit Information touching the transaction OF
the business intrlsted to them, and such
recommendations relating to legislation in tho
public interest as they deem advisable. ask
for these reports and recommendations the de-
iiberate examination and action of the legisla-
tive branch of the Government,
There are other subjects not embraced in the
departmental reports demanding legislative
consideration, and which should be glad to
submit. Some of them, however have been
earnestly presented in previous messages, and
as 10 them beg leave to repeat prior recop-
mendations
As the law makes no provision for any report
from the Department Of State, a brief history
OF the tr transactions OF that important depart
ment, together with other matters which it may
hereafter be deemed essential to commend to
the attention of Congress, may furnish the oc-
casion for future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, December 6. 1887.